All over the world, people work remotely, whether they are tree surgeons or part of a taxi rank. The Covid pandemic has also necessitated multitudes of people to work at home rather than at their usual workplace.
Remote working offers flexibility and freedom: the ability to be productive from anywhere you want, at any time you choose especially using work from home monitoring software. It also comes with its own set of unique challenges that can take some getting used to. It may be that you or your employees are now remote workers. If so, this article will give you a 7-step approach to making sure the work gets done.
1. Put Accountability In Place
These days, it’s possible to have mobile offices that use data stored in the cloud. The information can be viewed from anywhere and be added to or edited as required using a computer, tablet, laptop, or smartphone. Your remote workers can use downloadable apps to receive their daily tasks, and they can update them when they’ve been completed. You can allocate new work (and map directions if required), and track each employees’ whereabouts.
Employee monitoring software can often be used on Mac or Windows computers. If you want a more productive and efficient team, you can access complete behavior analytics and watch people unnoticed. You can view their activity logs and see what websites and apps they’ve been using.
2. Have The Right Tools For The Job
Your field workers could use special phone apps that allow them to issue customer quotes and take payments instantly. All this data would become available to you as their manager in real-time.
If you have a home office, make sure you have a decent internet and Wi-Fi connection. You’ll need an adequate desktop computer or laptop, and a designated business phone and charger. If you are to be involved in videoconferencing, you’ll also need a webcam, microphone, and speakers/headphones.
3. Create A Work-Conducive Environment
Whether it’s your kitchen, bedroom, car, or spare room, make sure the area is fit for the task. If you have a large room, perhaps you could use a screen to create a designated workspace.
You’ll need a table/desk that’s at the right height and an adjustable computer chair. Make sure the top of the computer screen is level with the top of your head, and that your mouse and keyboard are comfortable to use. This will help safeguard your back, neck, arms, and shoulders.
4. Create Boundaries
Try and stick to a healthy routine of bedtimes and working hours. Don’t be afraid to switch off your work mobile or set up your email’s ‘out of office’ when required. You may need to have a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door so that your partner or children know when to stay away. On the flip side, stick to your non-working hours and be available for your loved one when you’ve promised to be.
Be sure to observe regular break times and regularly get up and move around. If you can get outside during your lunch break, do so. The combined exercise and fresh air will prevent you from having an energy slump after having eaten.
5. Avoid Distractions
Some people work better with music playing in the background, whilst others don’t. Relaxing classical or ambient music may help you stay relaxed, rather than having song lyrics disturbing your train of thought. Try to work somewhere away from the radio, television, or traffic noise.
Switch off your personal phone while you work and avoid using the internet for social media and other personal websites. Close down any work applications you’re not using, and don’t open your emails the moment they are received.
6. Maintain Communication
When you work remotely, this is more important than ever. Stay regularly connected to your colleagues by text or email. You may also use such professional software as Slack.
Videoconferencing could help you maintain face-to-face contact with others, and could also save you wasting time by sending emails back and forth.
7. Organize Your Day
Set out your game plan at the beginning of the day and prioritize each task from 1-10. Be sure, to begin with, the most important job (even if it’s the one you’ll enjoy least!) rather than doing the easy/fun tasks first.
As you can see, there are many ways to gain high productivity when working remotely. By harnessing the right strategies and using the right equipment and software, the output may be better than ever before. Even when the pandemic is over, remote working may continue to be a part of your working schedule.
